LEAD SHEETS

A Lead Sheet is simply a written format of music used most often in Jazz & contemporary
musical settings. They are used by travelling musicians and popular artists on and off stage
as rehearsal and performing tools. Lead Sheets are often characterized by, but not limited
to the following elements:

A. Song Title
B. Composer(s) Name
C. Style indication/ Tempo (i.e. ballad, medium swing, =140)
D. One Treble Staff
E. Time signature
F. Key Signature
G. Written Melody
H. Slashes (rhythmic marks)
I. Song Lyrics (lyrical cues)
J. Chord Changes (also referred to as chord symbols)
K. Rehearsal Markings (i.e. A,B,C section or Verse/Chorus etc)
L. Repeats/Solos/Endings
M. Form (ABAC or Intro/Verse/Chorus/Bridge)

Tips for writing successful lead sheets

1. Style indication/ Tempo

Don’t forget to include a tempo and/or style indication at the beginning of the piece so that
the performer knows how fast or slow the piece should be and what kind of “feel” to play.

Words to use might be:

 Ballad
 Rock
 Funk
 Latin
 Laid Back
 Brightly
 Swing (and variations – heavy swing, light swing)
 Samba
2. Include Form & Structure directions

It’s useful to include repeat signs, 1st and 2nd endings and codas where applicable. You
should also indicate the Form of the song at the bottom of the page. Performers can always
vary the structure later on if they wish.

Double bar line (Indicates the end of the song)

Repeat Signs (Repeat dotted barred sections)

1st repeat 2nd repeat

The Coda sign

The symbol is used to direct the performer to go to the Coda and continue through to
the end or as directed by the associated word instructions within the composition.

The Dal Segno sign

3. Slashes, rhythm notation or notation